====== 25. Random Encounters ======

Random encounters are a staple of dungeon adventuring. Without
them, DMs would be unable to justify the random attack of an orc (in a
previously cleared Room) while the PCs search for treasure or bed down
for the night. Such encounters add a great deal of realism to the dangers
of dungeoneering and give the DM room to customize his dungeon.

Random Encounters are, by nature, random, and tend to unbalance
game-play against the PCs by draining their hit points, magic, and other
resources. While it's important to challenge the PCs every once in a
while, it's more important to engage them on a level that doesn't leave
them hobbling away from every fight. No matter what the dice say,
spread out random encounters so the PCs aren't waking up every morning
with knives at their throats.

In addition, while every Region has an interval for Random
Encounters (every hour, 30 minutes, 6 rounds, etc.), if the PCs are standing
still, the likelihood of someone coming to get them is severely
reduced. While some Rooms are "Safe", others are off the beaten path,
whether part of an ogre commune or not. Encounters in such areas
should occur 1/2 or 1/3 as often, but this is ultimately up to the DM.

Allow opposed Listen/Spot, Hide/Move Silently checks from both
the PCs and the creature encountered at the extreme range of vision and
hearing before the Encounter lakes place. PCs can typically see about 30
ft. underground, 60 ft. with low-light vision or darkvision. Monsters
have varying acuteness of sight. Due to the nature of the Dungeon, hearing
is difficult to pinpoint. A good rule of thumb is to place the hearing
range of a given encounter at 2d6 x 10 ft.

In order to save space, monster stat blocks for Random Encounters
are not included. The DM is welcome to sample any monster stat block
from the Section whenever a monster is encountered, or use the standard
information from the //Monster Manual//.

Not every kobold is moving from point A to point B because he's
looking for a fight. What if he just got up to get a sandwich? The following
chart is useful in determining the "why" of a Random Encounter.

====== Random Encounter "Conditions" ======

^ 1d20  ^ General Condition For Random Encounter  ^
| 1     | The Encounter is aggressive (//rage//) and attacks the PCs using its best tactical judgement (or lack thereof).  |
| 2     | The Encounter is catatonic and does not respond to any stimulus.  |
| 3     | The Encounter is chasing something.  |
| 4     | The Encounter is conniving, waiting to take advantage of the right 'mark.'  |
| 5     | The Encounter is desperate, begging the PCs for help.  |
| 6     | The Encounter is enterprising, willing 10 aid the PCs in exchange for something else.  |
| 7     | The Encounter is Friendly.  |
| 8     | The Encounter is having a Random Encounter of its own, perhaps fighting or parleying with the situation. If trapped, it is trying to get free, offering the PCs information or magical aid in exchange for escape.  |
| 9     | The Encounter is Hostile,  |
| 10    | The Encounter is hunting and ambushes the PCs.  |
| 11    | The Encounter is in a state of shock, wandering aimlessly.  |
| 12    | The Encounter is indifferent.  |
| 13    | The Encounter is injured (less 25% hit points) and is returning home.  |
| 14    | The Encounter is insane and immediately attacks the PCs.  |
| 15    | The Encounter is lost.  |
| 16    | The Encounter is malicious, ready to hurt the PCs when the time is right.  |
| 17    | The Encounter is panicked and runs from the PCs as fast as possible.  |
| 18    | The Encounter is running from another Random Encounter.  |
| 19    | The Encounter is trapped.  |
| 20    | The Encounter is Unfriendly.  |
